News

Target this week entered the seasonal fray dominated so far by Walmart and Toys "R" Us attempting to outdo one another with announcements about their layaway offers, product reservation programs and top toy lists.

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. — Sears Holdings is now offering its Kmart and Sears customers the option of ship-to-home delivery for items purchased through online layaway.

The new service – also available on store kiosks now enables shoppers to select, purchase and have the items delivered directly to their homes, bypassing the layaway line altogether. Both retailers will begin the exclusive layaway ship-to-home service starting Nov. 7.

PITTSBURGH — Dick's Sporting Goods is partnering with a group of current professional football players who have had life experiences with breast cancer, as part of its campaign for National Breast Cancer Awareness month. Denver linebacker Von Miller, New England wide receiver Wes Welker and other gridiron stars will promote the "Sport Your Support" campaign and "Endless Ribbon" initiative via public relations and social media.

Silicon Valley companies paved the way for corporate America to offer non-traditional workplace amenities and now Target has joined their ranks.

London -- British retailer Tesco reported Wednesday that profit dropped 6.8% in its first fiscal half to $2.06 billion, weighed down by costs associated with its turnaround strategy.

Revenue for the period inched up 1.6% to $51.9 billion, but costs were up as well for the world’s third-largest retailer. Same-store sales fell off 0.7%.

"The plan is a long course of treatment for us, not a single dose," new CEO Philip Clarke said of the turnaround plan.

Deerfield, Ill. -- Walgreens reported Wednesday that total sales for the month of September fell 7.8% to $5.48 billion. Front-end sales dipped 0.4% and same-store sales for the front decreased 1.5%.

Customer traffic fell off 2.3% in September, but the biggest factor in the slowed performance was the 10.3% decrease in same-store prescription sales for the month.

Overall, same-store sales dropped 11.1%.
 

Brisbane, Calif. -- Fashion retailer Bebe reported Wednesday that total sales for the first quarter fell 9.4% to $105.1 million. Same-store sales dropped 8.7%, missing expectations of a more moderate 6.8% decline.

The 250-store chain has officially launched a search for a new CEO, announcing on Wednesday it has retained Russell Reynolds Associates to lead the effort. Former CEO Gregory Scott resigned the post in January 2009, and founder Manny Mashouf has been serving in an interim capacity since that time.

Matthews, N.C. -- Family Dollar Stores reported Wednesday that net income for the quarter ended Aug. 25 inched up to $80.9 million, from $79.8 million in the same period last year. Results were impacted by an $11.5 million litigation charge stemming from the preliminary settlement of a lawsuit in New York.

Sales for the quarter rose 10.8% to $2.36 billion, a record for the company, and same-store sales increased 5.4%.

PLEASANTON, Calif. — Safeway is calling on its associates and customers to take simple steps toward a better life.

The company has launched the "Heart of Safeway Pledge" as a personal call-to-action to take simple, everyday steps – such as using energy-conserving light bulbs, taking a 15-minute walk three times a week or eating healthier foods – that benefit pledge-takers and their communities.

WAYNE, N.J. — Toys“R”Us has stepped up its efforts to be the destination for holiday shopping this season by offering a price match guarantee on all items available in its Toys“R”Us and Babies“R”Us stores nationwide.